Great hike, got to do it with a friend on a cloudy day. Both eleavtion and distance turned out to be more than the plan said. We both brought 3 literally of water, but could have used more. The view of the water was gorgeous.

1. The trailhead does NOT start from either of the parking lots. You have to walk through the area with the picnic tables at the far end of the large parking lot, and then across the road you'll the relatively nondescript trailhead. Just download the map and follow your dot directly to the trailhead, you'll think it's off but it'll take you there.

2. Easy, highly exposed first few miles, then a solid 1-1.5 miles uphill. They aren't switchbacks, and it's very loose gravel and sand, so go with good shoes. You would be fine in tennis shoes, but a lightweight pair of hiking boots would make the last stretch nicer. Also, WEAR PANTS. There is lots of sharper foliage and you will be glad you wore pants.

3. The overall hike has some very nice viewpoints and overall varied and interesting terrain. There are alot of false peaks so if you reach a vista and think its the top, look for the steel box and to see if there's a clear continuation of the trail. As people note, it probably is a little longer than 6.8 miles, but 2 hours up and 1 hour down is a reasonable estimate if you're moving steadily, not including time you spend chilling on the peak itself. Bring water if you're going in the summer because it will get hot!

I did this hike yesterday 11/5/18 for the first time. There was little water in the river. Areas were effected by the Thomas fire. Flowers were starting to grow, few white poppies. I liked the gradual elevation and steps. At the top there was a lot of loose gravel and the trail got narrow. We didn’t make it to the top. We stopped at two miles when we turned back. My left foot slipped off the trail because of the loose gravel. Lucky it was just my left leg and I was able to catch my fall with my hands. Be careful when you get higher up. There was some shade at first and then mostly sun.

Beautiful fall day!! About 80 degrees. Very warm on some of the ascent. Nice to see some water in the creek. Quite a lot of horse traffic!! It was a strenuous hike for us but reached the Pine camp! Recommend morning!! It was a little tricky toFind the trail head on the grounds of the school! Trekking poles were very helpful!

About 90% of this hike is shaded which is very nice for comfort but limits the view points. I guess it was nice to change it up from the dessertous terrain of SoCal. It was also nice because I got a late start but didn’t get caught in the worst of the sun. Btw parking is rough if you get there late, I parked 0.8 miles from the trailhead.

Started out this hike with what felt like a million other people, I was not excited and kept weaving around them. Around mile 4 where it splits off to summit Wilson, just past sturtevant camp, everyone disappeared. Yay. But I was immediate joined by eight million mosquitos. Luckily I had some bug spray, if I do this hike again, I’ll bring a head net. As others have said, the summit left much to be desired. No log book, signage, etc plus people can drive there so it doesn’t give you the same sense of accomplishment.

Worth mentioning, when you get to the burned area just before the peak, there is load of poison oak? I’m terrible at IDing plants but someone told me it was poisonous and what it looked like, it was scary especially with my dog but I think we made it out unscathed.

Made it up in 4 hours and down in 2.5. Overall not a bad day but def not my fav hike in SoCal.

Great views at the top. 2.5 miles of easy hiking and views, then climbing starts. For us the round trip was 7.6 miles. We started late, about 9– dont go later. It was hot by the time we were heading back.

Was excited to do this hike and it was definitely different considering the scenery and that you are right along the stream. But that being said, we didn’t make it to the punch bowl. The arrows were less clear at the end and we were with our pup and the rocks were getting bigger and it had become more dangerous than was comfortable for us. It sounds like there are multiple ways to get to the end - we tried to stick to the red line on the All Trails app Esther than the dotted line. Thinking the dotted line could have actually gotten you there and been easier than the red line, which was right along the creek. The dotted line seemed to be out in the hot sun, which some people were referencing in their reviews. We likely won’t do it again but if we did, we would go the dotted trail route. Would be cool if someone else could confirm that for others using the app!

Reached this peak on the second try after taking a shortcut that led to Mt Lawlor instead...the views are definitely worth it but the last stretch is no joke! make sure to pack plenty of water...we brought strawberries as well as strawberry milkshake IPAs, perfect celebration for the top!

Great hike! Not sure why this is rated moderate. It's definitely easy. It's flat the whole way. The trail gets a little messy sometimes and you have to go over rocks and cross the river but nothing crazy. This was absolutely lovely.

I have done this trail twice! Both times it was pretty hot out so make sure you bring plenty of water with you. You can hike two main ways through santa Paula canyon, or along the water to the punch bowls. I preferred going along the water the second time because there was more shade and I enjoy an occasion splash when I get hot but that’s just me! However stunning views overlooking the canyon if you follow the main trailhead/orange and green markers! There is trash unfortunately so be a handy earth lover and bring a trash bag with you, it made me feel better cleaning up as I went. But the Punchbowl was awesome! Fun area to have a picnic and say hello to fellow travelers!

Really pretty and challenging hike. As someone else has mentioned, reaching a parking lot at the top is not ideal. It’s just not the same kind of reward you get when you hike San Jacinto for example. If I were to do this hike again I think I would have someone pick me up at the top and drive me back to my car. Going up is always more fun than coming back down, at least for me.

I hiked out to Barley Flats and back from the Angeles Crest Highway. The majority of the hike is on a old, private paved road, while the last section follows an unmaintained trail to the water tower (make sure to wear pants). It's not the most exciting hike, but the views are great. There's also no shade, so bring a hat. I only saw one person on the entire hike, aside from a helicopter, which landed at the base at Barley Flats.

Short and not as bad as they say. In the early morning you will start in the shade of Mt Lawlor, but after mile 2 it is fully exposed and hot. Lots of prickly Yucca, so were long pants. The views are generous, but you never really get away from the roaring motor cycles on the Hwy - minus one star for that.

I hiked on 9/22/18. started at parking lot at 0645, made it to the summit at 1215( yeah, I'll never break any speed records) at my age just finishing is a big deal. Trail is beautiful, mostly in shade through forest, just gorgeous. last few miles to the summit are a bit rough. but of the 4 six pack of peaks that I have done this year. the is easily the most beautiful. if you go on the weekends, the Cosmic Cafe is open at the summit. Had a killer hot dog, coke and cookie all for 10 bucks. a life saver. got back down to car at 515. so a full day hiking. Fyi, all trails has it as 11 miles, the signage on the trail show it round trip at 14. both my pedometers showed it 18. So go figure. Anyway a great day and an awesome hike. places to camp along the way also.

Good trail with some nice canyon splitting. There are numerous tar pits at the beginning of the trail. There is quite a bit of wildlife as well. Very moderate hike with only a small section with some grade to it

This hike's difficulty is largely weather dependent. I tried this hike today thinking there would be fog all day. Instead, the sun was blazing hot with very few spots of shade. Climbing continuosly uphill in dry desert-like 90 degree weather is very very challenging. My friend started showing signs of heat stress ( less than half way through). Another hiker on the road also experienced sypmtoms. Experienced Mountain bikers who passed by seemed unaffected. I loved the challenge and the scenery was breathtaking. However, I would highly recommend tackling this hike during cooler months/ very early in the morning. I will definitely return again to try in winter.

About the trail: signs are marked very clearly throughout. The uphill is not the steepest (streets in SF are a lot steeper) but, it is a constant uphill (after reaching the MASH site) in grueling heat.

Great place to go hike and spend time with friends and family. Highly recommended to those who love to hike and admire nature. Also great cliffs to jump off if you are into that!
!!!GO CHECK OUT MY VIDEO ON THE SANTA PAULA PUNCH BOWLS!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3na2KTAzXSw

I didn’t look up this hike on the app. So had no idea this was a hard one. Was trying to keep up with the group I went with (far more experienced than I was). Yes the last mile is killer as someone else said with fake me out mountain tops. Watch out for yucca and I must’ve hit a nest of small black wasps? Got stung in 3 places. No one else did so not sure what I did.

Great Trail. A bit confusing at times. Looking for green or blue arrows to remind you your goin correct way. Apparently there are multiple ways to get to first punch bowl. Tiring but so worth the hike when you take that jump in pool. Planning to go back but explore the other bowls.

Just did this one for the first time this morning, and I have to say it is by far one of the most intriguing hikes I've done. My friend and I started from the east end and worked up and down to the west end, where we found a BUNCH of tar pits!! I could even smell a hot spring somewhere, but I could not find it. After the tar pits is a very small interesting canyon with beautiful rock formations. I was very fascinated by them because some of them have a white substance all over them - I wonder if it's calcium or salt - and the striations are vertical as opposed to horizontal. There are also lots and lots of holes in the rocks which makes me believe at one point these rocks were submerged in water. All in all, it is not only a very beautiful hike, but a very educational one. I recommend it to everyone, even beginner hikers because even though it is a very challenging hike, the sights are well worth it!

Trail can be a bit confusing at times but as long as you follow the arrows you will get there. And it’s true, you have to park on the highway and walk up a steep paved hill through the college and some dirt road next to some job sites just to get to the trail head but it is worth it! Wear sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a bathing suit if you want to jump in! It can also be a cool hangout spot if you want to bring lunch, drinks and some music to reward yourself at the top.